Press releases

  • Reference number
    52/2022

    On 7 October, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on homelessness and ways of eradicating it by 2030 through the principle of 'housing first' and a plethora of different support measures for people without permanent homes. Jointly organised with the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA), the conference brought together European institutions, civil society representatives and experts, as well as people who had directly experienced homelessness.

  • Reference number
    51/2022

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on the prospects for the European economy in times of crisis. The event gathered high-level policy-makers, civil society representatives and economic researchers to see how the EU can tackle new dilemmas posed by low-growth prospects and record-high levels of inflation. All agreed that the war in Ukraine has only aggravated trends that have been going on for years. The main takeaways of the event were that fiscal policies need to be revised, that supporting productive investment amidst difficulties is key, and that vulnerable businesses and households need more public support.

  • Reference number
    50/2022

    On 26 September, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on the latest European Commission's Rule of Law Report. The event brought together civil society representatives and EU institutions to discuss key developments in the field of the rule of law in Europe and ways to ensure that the recommendations made in the EC's Report result in tangible improvements in Member States. It was also the opportunity to present the report synthetising the outcomes of the country visits carried out by the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group in 2020-2021.

  • Reference number
    49/2022

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has announced its winners in the first ever EU Organic Awards, co-organised with the European Commission and other partners to reward excellence along the European organic value chain.

  • Reference number
    47/2022

    At the EESC plenary debate with Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, the EESC reiterated its unwavering support for a European Health Union. It urged the Commission to be ambitious in the implementation of the new European care strategy, which aims to ensure that each and every European has access to affordable and high-quality healthcare

  • Reference number
    48/2022

    The recent crises, together with the colossal economic and social challenges of our time, threaten the principle of decent work. At its September plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted an opinion on Decent Work Worldwide calling for stakeholders involvement, consumer social responsibility, and effective global regulatory frameworks.

  • Reference number
    46/2022

    A debate on challenges and prospects for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the measures for SMEs announced in the State of the Union address and discussed EESC proposals to make business transfers easier amid concern over their growing number.

  • Reference number
    45/2022

    The EESC held a debate in plenary on the growing importance of organised civil society and cities in Europe's ability to face asymmetric shocks and unforeseen crises. This was linked to the adoption of two opinions, on Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) and on the Ljubljana Agreement on the Urban Agenda of the EU. The Committee welcomes both initiatives, but finds they miss the bar in terms of properly empowering and involving organised civil society. A key measure proposed by the EESC is to create a separate EU fund for the reconstruction and development of Ukraine to complement the efforts made by the Member States.

  • Reference number
    44/2022

    The high-level civil society conference on youth policy in the Western Balkans, hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), highlighted the key role of young people for the future of the region and called for their active involvement in policy-making. 

  • Reference number
    43/2022

    This event organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the University of Debrecen highlighted the crucial importance of co-creating services of general interest in the area of health and well-being, especially in light of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.